Body found on Coromandel beach identified as missing Auckland rock fisher

Police have named the person who was found dead on a beach on the Coromandel Peninsula last month. Photo / NZME

Police have named the person who was found dead on a beach on the Coromandel Peninsula last month.

He was Suy Lao, 43, from Auckland, and was previously reported missing on December 22 near the Waikawau boat ramp.

The death has been referred to the Coroner.

title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dive-squad-and-drone-join-search-for-rock-fisher-missing-in-firth-of-thames/QNKHANFLAFFALBQ5IVTARRC6UY/">Emergency services were alerted at 8.45am on December 22 after reports a rock fisher was in difficulty in the water.

One person managed to make it safely to shore and raised the alarm that a second person was still in the water.

Coastguard New Zealand said volunteers from Howick Coastguard supported the police Eagle helicopter and public vessels involved in locating the missing person.

On December 24, police received a report from a member of the public at about 6.10am after a body was located on the beach near Thames Coast Rd, Kereta.